Within the Arab world, Saddam was feared by most but grudgingly respected by some. For his part, he often spoke out against Arab support to Western nations.
While several nations in the region have not yet reacted to his execution, the ruling Hamas in Palestine has strongly condemned it and Libya has declared a three-day mourning for him.
Significantly, eye witnesses have said that in his last moments, Saddam mentioned Palestine, a cause that was dear to him.
Image: In May 1990, Saddam Hussein addressed the opening session of the Extraordinary Arab Summit called in Baghdad to adopt a unified Arab stance against Soviet Jewish immigration to Israel. (Right) Saddam Hussein with the late Palestine Liberation Organisation chairman Yasser Arafat in the 1980s.
Photograph: Mike Nelson/AFP/Getty Images
Also see: How dictators live and die 
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